Tie Up A Strong Man

“In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house” (Mark 3:27, NIV).

Jesus speaks these words in response to an accusation from the teachers of the law that he was using the power of Satan to drive out demons. But Jesus points out that the power of evil cannot be used for good. A house divided against itself cannot stand. Jesus is casting out demons and bringing freedom from oppression, not by the power of Satan, but by the power of God that has overcome the evil one. Jesus has come into the “strong man’s” house to plunder it. He has invaded the kingdom of Satan and is setting the captives free, healing the sick, caring for the poor and hurting, and generally wreaking havoc in Satan’s plans for evil.

These words called me to reflect on my own life. Am I a house divided? Do I ask God for redemption, but hold back areas I don’t want him to touch? Do I have “strong men” protecting things in my life I don’t want Christ to plunder? If I truly desire freedom and victory, I may need to deal with a “strong man” in my own life. My prayer for us this week is that we will tie up a “strong man” and allow the Lord to plunder our hearts, to invade our lives, and to wreak havoc in our sin. Because the thing about Jesus is, after he breaks up our sin and drives it out, he puts us back together and makes us new.